Country Roads of Portugal (Classic, Summer, 11 Days)
Description
Summary
Description
Embark on an unforgettable 11-day journey through the heart of Portugal. This multi-day tour offers a unique blend of cultural immersion, historical exploration, and culinary delights. From the vibrant city of Lisbon to the sun-drenched southern coast of Lagos, the medieval city of Évora, and the world heritage town of Porto, you'll experience the rich tapestry of Portugal's past and present. Marvel at ancient monuments, explore UNESCO World Heritage Sites, taste traditional cuisine, and enjoy local wines. This tour is designed to provide a comprehensive and immersive experience of Portugal's diverse landscapes, rich history, and vibrant culture.
Included
3 Dinner with Wine (DW)
10 Breakfast (B)
1 Lunch with Wine (LW)
1 Lunch (L)
Lisbon: Join your Travel Director at 18:00 for a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant and the opportunity to mingle with your fellow travellers.
Monsaraz: Enjoy a memorable Alentejo Highlight Lunch at local restaurant Sem Fim, once an olive mill. Indulge in dish-after-dish of the tastiest tapas in a vibrant setting.
Pinhao: Enjoy a wonderful farm-to-table dinner, freshly prepared from locally sourced ingredients.
Porto: Shared experiences and memories are often the foundation for special bonds and friendships. Toast your travels with wine and good cheer during your Celebration Dinner at a restaurant in Porto, devoted to the enjoyment of regional cooking.
Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
10 night accommodation
From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
Lagos: Explore this coastal town nestled on Meia Praia, with your Travel Director.
Évora: With your Travel Director explore the ancient city of Évora and visit the fascinating Capela dos Ossos, meaning the Chapel of Bones, a chapel decorated with human remains.
Obidos: Lead by your Travel Director, walk through the picturesque narrow streets up to the main square of this ancient walled town.
Choose between two carefully selected activities
Porto: Enjoy a panoramic drive through historic avenues and past exquisite tiled facades.
Porto: Visit the São Bento Railway Station and walk on the Dom Luís I Bridge, spanning the Douro River and connecting the cities of Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia.
Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
Monsaraz: Join a local boat captain for a tranquil cruise on Lake Alqueva. Relax and enjoy calming waters, picturesque views and tales of river life.
Évora: During a wine tasting session, appreciate the delicate yet complex nuances of Alentejo wine, and learn how the Relvas family has been managing to keep low water consumption, reforestation of indigenous trees, and providing scholarships to children of the village. This experience advances United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and production. With a 30% reduction in water use and innovative water management systems in place, they have been integrating science technology to ensure genuine production processes in all their activities.
Lisbon: Explore with your Local Expert, from the Lower Town, beneath the hilltop Bairro Alto to the Terreiro do Paco. Visit the Belém Quarter to see the modern Monument to the Discoveries and the medieval Belém Tower.
Lisbon: Visit the cloisters of Jerónimos Monastery with its beautiful Manueline architecture, reflecting Portugal's trade over the centuries and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Évora: Explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site guided by your Local Expert and see the famous Roman Temple. While sightseeing, witness the fascinating cathedral and be charmed by its mix of Romanesque and Gothic architecture.
Monsaraz: Surrounded by cork oaks and vineyards, wander through the castle ruins to admire the incredible view over the Spanish plains that contrast with the blue of one of Europe's largest artificial lakes.
Tomar: Dominating the town is the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Templar Castle and the Convent of Christ. During your visit with a Local Expert, see the Manueline Window and follow the story of the mysterious Knights Templar.
Tomar: Learn about the history of the town through its architectural influences as you take a tour guided by a Local Expert.
Tomar: Guided by your Local Expert, visit the Synagogue of Tomar, one of the best preserved medieval synagogues in Portugal.
Fátima: Join the faithful at one of the world's holiest sites and pay homage at the Chapel of the Apparitions and see the basilica.
Coimbra: Guided by your Local expert, head through Old Town and pass by the Old Cathedral and the Almedina neighbourhood.
Coimbra: With a Local Expert, visit the University and witness the triumphal arches, painted ceilings, golden flourishes and walls of ancient tomes.
Guimaraes: Enjoy views from the Visigothic castle ruins and explore a maze of medieval streets in the Old Quarter.
"I love taking guests to Monsaraz because It's one of the many villages lost in time. It's not easy for guests to find on their own and they feel like they're visiting a secret paradise."
Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
Destinations
Map
Attractions
Daily Itinerary
Day 1 – Day 1: Arrival in Lisbon
- Lisbon
- Santa Iria de Azóia - Arrival day
- More
Upon landing at Lisbon International Airport, complimentary transfers will whisk you away to your hotel. After settling in, join your Travel Director for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant, where you'll have the chance to meet your fellow travelers over delicious food and wine.
Day 2 – Day 2: Exploring Lisbon
- Lisbon
- More
- Monumento Natural dos Lagosteiros
- Jerónimos Monastery
- Belém Tower
- More
Embark on a guided tour of Lisbon with a local expert. Traverse the spacious avenues of the Lower Town, pass under the hilltop Bairro Alto, and visit the ancient Belém Tower. Marvel at the Monument to the Discoveries and explore the Belém Quarter. Enjoy a taste of the famous Pastéis de Belém and visit the Jeronimos Monastery. The evening offers an optional experience to delve deeper into Portuguese culture with a special dinner.
Day 3 – Day 3: From Lisbon to Lagos
- Lagos
- Lisbon
- More
Cross the River Tagus and head south to the sun-drenched coast of Lagos, a charming fishing port nestled in the bay of Meia Praia. After some free time to explore, continue to your resort hotel set within a magnificent 360-acre estate. Nearby, specialized Portuguese seafood restaurants offer fresh catches of the day, overlooking the Atlantic.
Day 4 – Day 4: Journey to Évora
- Beja
- Luz
- Évora
- More
- Cathedral of Évora
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Travel to the medieval walled city of Évora, a living museum to Portugal's rich past. With your local expert, explore the highlights of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, including the Roman Temple and the Capela dos Ossos. Visit the cathedral, a beautiful blend of Romanesque and Gothic architecture. Spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure, perhaps strolling through Évora’s historical center or the serene city park.
Day 5 – Day 5: Monsaraz and Lake Alqueva
- Monsaraz
- Évora
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- Observatório do Lago Alqueva (OLA)
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Travel to the striking white village of Monsaraz, surrounded by olive groves and vineyards. From the castle ruins, admire the spectacular views across to the Spanish plains and the blue of Lake Alqueva. Enjoy a leisurely cruise on the tranquil waters of the lake and a delicious lunch at a local restaurant. Return to Évora for an evening at your leisure.
Day 6 – Day 6: Wine Tasting and Pilgrimage
- Tomar
- Évora
- Batalha
- More
- Convent of Christ
- More
Begin the day with a visit to Casa Relvas for a wine tasting. Journey to Fátima, Portugal's most renowned place of pilgrimage. Visit the basilica or the Chapel of the Apparitions. Continue to Tomar and visit the Templar Castle and Convent of Christ, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You also visit the Synagogue of Tomar, one of the best preserved medieval synagogues in Portugal.
Day 7 – Day 7: Coimbra and Douro River
- Coimbra
- Tomar
- More
- Turismo da Universidade de Coimbra
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In Coimbra, your Local Expert will show you the highlights of the Old Town, including the University of Coimbra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your journey continues past verdant hills and lush vineyards, along the tranquil waters of the Douro River. Enjoy a wonderful Farm-to-Table lunch, freshly prepared from locally sourced ingredients, with a port wine tasting.
Day 8 – Day 8: Guimarães and Porto
- Porto
- Guimarães
- More
- Castle of Guimarães
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Journey to Guimarães to admire the views from the ruined castle and explore the cobbled streets. Next, continue on to Porto, Portugal’s second city and a World Heritage town. Explore Porto with a choice of a guided visit to the São Bento Railway Station and a walk along the Dom Luís I Bridge, or a panoramic drive through the city streets. The evening is at your leisure to enjoy your boutique hotel in the heart of Porto’s historic district.
Day 9 – Day 9: Free Day in Porto
- Porto
- Braga
- More
Enjoy a full day at your leisure in Porto. Take a stroll to admire the multi-coloured houses and churches covered in beautiful glazed tiles. Perhaps choose to visit Braga, the capital of baroque. In the evening, enjoy a mouth-watering dinner with wine at an authentic Porto restaurant.
Day 10 – Day 10: Óbidos and Return to Lisbon
- Lisbon
- Porto
- More
- Castle of Óbidos
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Journey to the fortified town of Óbidos and walk within its walls, exploring the narrow, medieval streets where houses are covered with flowers. Your travels continue to the Portuguese capital, Lisbon.
Day 11 – Day 11: Departure from Lisbon
- Lisbon
- Santa Iria de Azóia - Departure day
- More
After breakfast, transfer to Lisbon International Airport for your onward journey.
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